Carrier



M. G. PRIETO Nov. 28, 1944.

CARRIER Filed Nov. 20, 1942 Patented Nov. 28, 1944 I .i UNITED STATES PATENT oFF-lcs N, N 2,363,619 f f l I CARRIER, MiguelVGi ifrieto, chicago, nr l eepxicatinnovember 2o, 1942,V serial 10,466,361

l This invention `relates to an improved device I for transporting, storing and handling elongated fragile objects, and more particularly rto a collapsible carrier or hand truck constructed, ar-

ranged and adapted for the. handlingand servl icing of fluorescent lighting tubes. i l v l The handling and servicing. of l fluorescent lighting tubesl which are. nowbeing extensively employed in industrial plants, andthe servicing of suclr lighting installations by service men in suchindustrial installations at the` present time entails considerable complaint due to the fact that uorescent lighting tubes. and particularly their projecting end `structure or pins which are extremely fragile are often damaged inadvertently .by shock such as one `tube being knocked againstv another .or againsty surrounding objects',

particularly in industrial plants which are at the present time extremelyv crowded due to economies of space or necessity for `utilizing all avail- V collapsedv position. l l

able. space. Such damage or shock* is often not visible or noticed at `the time of occurrence,` and failure ofithe tube to function is oftenimproperly charged to faulty tube manufacture. Inadvertent damage or breakage to these uorescent lighting, tubes which in commercial installations may he quite long-such as, `for example, up to 60 inches' in lengthis often caused by reascnlof thediiculty in protecting the end pins and/or end. metal cap or tube end portionsy by the' service man when he carries `several ofthese `long tubes inV his handi and travels between` `crowded and thereafter in such places is required to install `or replace a tube. effective storage of these elongated tubes also often times `presents `a considerable problem in busy industrial plants. A l

With the foregoing in view it is an object `of my invention to provide a convenient hand truck or mobile container 'of relatively narrow `width Vand of elongated. construction `comprising one or more pockets within which ifluorescent lighting tubes may easily be inserted and carried in an l orderly fashion andin asafe andprotected mannerto the: point of. installation. or replacement; 1 Another object is to' provide a hand truck or carrier of the class described which may be vertically positioned or set up at the place where Y the tubes are to be installed or replaced, and to `permit the transported tubes tojbe withdrawn Safe, convenient and l 28o- 30) p combination with mytubel `carrier and fol'dable therein, and which when used therewith lends' or carrier whereby itlmay` be conveniently stored in a minimum amount of space whenfnot inuse. Other objects relateto details of construction, arrangement of parts and the economiese thereof which will bev apparent from a further consid-` eration of the following specication and. drawing Iwherein: I i l Fig.` l is a. side elevationof vmy portable carrier l in` its fully expanded andverticallylerected position.. l

Fig. 2. isa side elevation` of my device infully Fig. 3 is a transverse section. onthe-li-neS-S ofligJl.` L Y Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section through the lower portion of my device.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 in the `col.-`

lapsed position of my device.

Referring to the drawing, my improved iiuorescent lighting: tube handling device comprises aV frame like structure which may be formed substantially` whollyof wood and comprises at each side thereof vertical bars I 0, II, and I2.` `The Afactory aisles and `large machine installations vertical bars I 0 which maybe considered'to form the bed of the carrier, are connected by a plurality of cross'bars such as thebars I3 and I4, I4 and the base piece I5. The intermediate vertically extending bars II are joined together in a similar manner by means of the crosspieces i6 and I'I, the latter extending preferably laterally of the vertical bars II to form a frame `extension stop means` The vertically `extending bars I`2 may if desired be joined. by similar; cross cars, althoughsuch is not necessary as will be hereinafter more fullyexplained. i Extending transversely across the vertical bars I0, II and I2, at each side of the frame and p pivotally engaged to each ofthese barsby suitable means such as the dowel pins I8, I9`and' 20,

is the link 2I, and in a similar` manner iirspaced l relation to the link 2| is the link 22 pivoted to the vertical bars I0, II `and I2 at the points 23,

24 and 25, respectively. These links 2'I` and 22 extend intermediate the ends of the `vertical bars I9 and Il and endwise of the vertical bars I'2`.

Adjacent to the foot portions" of thev vertical bars l0 and .I I and pivoted to them at 26 and 21T, is the link 28. l l n :Extending between the two vertical bars -If and secured yto theiii-'and/or'the cross pieces i3' and I4 I suitably providey 'a bed closure or webbing member 29 which is preferably formed of such material as bre board for convenience and economy. As indicated in the drawing, this closure board 29 preferably lies adjacent to the inner longitudinal edges of the bars I0, so as to leave an outwardly open pocket. In a similar manner Irsprovide a fibre board closure 30 extending over and between the vertical bars II. The front face` fof the vertical bars I2 lmay likewise be enclosedby r'neans of `a similar fibre board 3l, although this and the lother closure members 29 means of therollers 43, engaged within suitable mounts 44 and secured adjacent to the bottom or leg portions 45 of the vertical bars I0. The purpose of the rollers`43 is of course primarily for :permitting the carrier to be conveniently rather aid the rigidity of the device when it is and 30 may simply be of fabric. However, since. V

the portions 29, 30 and 3l or the areas covered thereby remain fixed they may be of rigid maas wood or slats may be employed. 'For the purpose of providing Vside closure tmeans if desired,l

there may be provided strips of fabric or webbing whichmay' be of relatively narrow width such as for example webbing 32 vsecuredv to the vertical bars yI2 and -II intermediate the linksl 2| and 22, and the strip of webbing 33- secured to the bars` II and I2 also lintermediate links 2l and 22.' f yIn a similar manner a strip-of webbing 34 may besecured to the vertical bars II and III intermediate the links 22 and 28.

For the punpose of providing a Ibottom closure 'betweenthe vertical`bars.` II and I0 and to permit the device as awhole to be readily collapsed this lbase is preferably formed of at least three spaced apart sections. Thus as previously indicated, one section comprises the portion I5 which extends between the vertical barsl. In a similar lmanner I provide a baseboard portion 35 which extends between the vertical bars II adjacent`their'bas'e or leg portions 35, the@Y portion 35 acting as an additional cross or tie member for thelbars II.l A complementary rbaseboard piece 31 is secured" between and to the links 28 intermediate the points of pivot 26 and 21, and in a manner whereby the baseboard portionrk 31 is in alignment with but edgewise slightly'spaced 'apart from the baseboard portions I5 and 35. These'baseboard rportions' I5 and 35 also act as frame alignment or stop means for limiting the degree of pivotal movement when the device is opened or extended, the link 28 being limited in futherdownward movement by abutting on thebaselboards I5 and 35, portions of which extend laterally tothe outer faces of links 28. Suprported'on thesebaseboa'rd portions35, 31 and I5 arethe cushion portions 38, 39 and 40 respectively. `The ibase of the outer extension of the links 22 which extend from the vertical bars II to thevertical bars` I2 are likewise provided with a base closure 4L which may be of fibre board, and may be Iprovided in a -similar manner Awith alayer of cushioning material 42, the edge of the baseboard 4I Ibeing slightly spaced from` the cross barn.

Asindicated lin the drawing, the base of the `vertical bars II terminate in the legs 36, these legs being preferably offset in a direction away fromthe vertical bars I0 to permit. full collapsibility without interference by the baseboard portion 31 or necessity for slotting or reducing the lwidth of-the latter at any portion, and thereby eliminating any openings in the base portions by meansoi which the tube end pins might become damaged. The legs 3B and 45 may be vslightly inclinedatthe baseas indicated.` This stability dsfiurtheruaideld, if such becomes necessary, by

mounted in the substantially vertical position as indicated in Fig. 1. i f

.In furthercombination with my device I provide a nested ladder in association therewith 'comprising sides 46 and a plurality of steps 41, the sides 46 being of a length and spaced apart in? a. manner so as to permit the ladder to be nested within and between the Vertical bars I0. The uprper ends of the ladder sides 46 are providedrwithdowels or the like lateral projections 48 which extend into and ride within the bayonet slots 49 provided in the vertical bars I0'adjacent to their upper ends. Thus when the ladder is extended angularly to the carrier bodyxas limited by the members 50, which may be formed of indicated cord, or conventionalpivoted rigid link pairs, thevprojections 48 are extended vinto the horizontal run of the bayonet slot 49. When it is desired to collapse the ladder within the Vertical bars Ill, the projections 48are caused'to be moved to the upper extentof the vertical run of bayonet slot 49, and the tie bar 5I whichextends between the ladder -portions 46 adjacent their lower ends and inner edges` is-e1evatedabove and then permitted to drop rearwardly of the pin 52 extending vertically from the baseboard I5 to 'hold the ladderlocked in nested position; For

and .generally extends between Athe vertical :bars e I0 and vertical bars I I. For the ypurpose of conveniently handling shorter tubes and without intermingling them with the longer ones a second or smaller compartment is provided between the vertical bars II `and the vertical bars I2 wherein the shorter fluorescent lighting tubes indicated by the cartons ofthe dotted lines'55 may be ca'r' ried. As lpreviously indicated, 'on the floor or baseboards of each of these compartments there is supported'suitalble padding material which ad.. ditionally serves to cushion the fluorescent light ing tubes and serves .to vprevent injury to the end pins 56, cap 51 and other-internal portions. of the tube 58 indicated by the4 dotted lines in the broken elongated carton 54. f

For ther purpose of collapsing'my device .when

not in use, it will readilybe seen `that the vertical bars I I and I2 and their associated cross bars "and base portions may all be swung upwardly about their points of respective pivotal engage-.-

ment of the vertical bars with the links k21", I

form shown in Fig. 2. In this` position the collapsed device may be hung up` or stored away in any suitable place. In a like manner the device illustrated in Fig. 1 with only the ladder collapsed, may be used for the storing of fluorescent lighting tubes and set into any convenient place, or if desired the expanded carrier structure canbe hung from some suitable mounting support, by providing, for example, a suitable cross bar between the upper edges of the vertical bars Hl not illustrated, or in any other convenient manner. For transporting the'tubes to the place of installation the carrier may be simply gripped by the upper extensions of the vertical bars` l and moved on `the rollers 43 and thereafter elevated vertically and rested on the legs 36 and 45, with or without the aid of the ladder 46. 1

Although for the purpose of illustration I have described in. the foregoing specication `and shown in the drawing the preferred form of my invention wherein my collapsible carrier has been provided with two tube carrying compartments one relatively shorter than the other, their Irespective lengths may be varied and in a similar manner I may provide 4a third compartment, or my collapsible carrier may be formed to provide a single elongated compartment, all within the scope oi my invention.

I claim as my invention:

l.. A mobile container of the classdescribed comprising a rigid substantially flat elongated bed portion defining the rear side wall of `the container, and a collapsible and extensible super-` structure carried thereon to form a receptacle container in extended position, the bed foot portions comprising rearwardly mounted and laterally extending wheels for transporting the` container.

3. A mobile container of the class d-escribed comprising a rigid elongated bed portionand a therewith, said superstructure including at least r one frame portion of equal width to and extending in parallel spaced relation to said bed and in pivoted linked engagement therewith and a collapsible bottom adapted to extend perpendicularly to and between said bed and parallel frame portion, said bed portion and adjacent parallel frame portion terminating in foot portions for supporting the container in a generally upright and in extended condition, the bed foot portions comprising wheels mounted in association therewith and extending laterally and rearwardlyof said bed portion for transporting the container.

2. A mobile container of the class described comprising a rigid substantially natelongated bedportion dening the rear side wall Vof the container, and a collapsible and extensible superstructure carried thereon to form a `receptable therewith, said superstructure including at least one frame portion of equal width to and extending in parallel spaced relation to said bed and in pivoted linked engagement there- 'with and a collapsible bottom adapted to extend perpendicularly to and between said bed and.

parallel frame portion, the said bed portion and collapsible and extensible superstructure carried thereon to form a double compartmented re-` ceptacle therewith, said superstructure including two progressively shorter frame portions of `equal Width to and extending in parallel spaced relation to said bed and in pivotal engagement therewith and with each other through laterally and transversely extending unitary rigid links, and a collapsible bottom for each compartment, the bottom for the compartment extending between the bed and its adjacent parallel frame portion being formed of a plurality of separable spaced segments extending parallel to said bed,.`one of said segments being in xed relationship therewith and another being carried by pivotal link i means and'foldable against the bed.

fl. A mobile container of the` class described comprising a rigid elongated bed portion and a collapsible and extensible superstructure carried thereon toV 'form a double compartmented receptacle therewith, said superstructure including two progressively shorter frame portions of equal width to and extending in parallel spaced relation to said bed and in pivotal engagement therewith and with each other through laterally and transversely` extending unitary rigid links, and a collpasible bottom for each compartment, the saidbed portion and adjacent parallelframe portion terminating in rigid foot portions for vertically supporting the container in extended position; the bed foot portions comprising rearwardlly mounted and laterally extending wheels for transporting the container.

5. A mobile container of the class described comprising a rigid bed frame portion defined laterally by a pair of elongated` parallel spaced bars, and a superstructure carried thereon and foldable against it and adapted when extended to form a receptacle therewith, said superstructure including a pair of spaced relatively short bars defining a fr'ame parallel to said bed, at least one pair of longitudinally spaced rigid links extending transversely of and in pivotal engagement with each group of lateral dening bars of said frames, and a collapsible bottom formed ofl a plurality of separable spaced segments ex- `tending parallel to said bed, one of said segments being in fixed relationship therewith and another being carried by pivotal link mea-ns and .fnldable against the bed.

MIGUEL G. PRIETO. 

